CN101171823A

CN101171823A - A hinge structure for an electronic device

Info

Publication number: CN101171823A
Application number: CNA2006800152192A
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·马阿特塔; J·阿坎蒂; T·伊瓦斯克维西宇斯
Original assignee: Nokia Oyj
Current assignee: HTC Corp
Priority date: 2005-05-13
Filing date: 2006-05-10
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-10
Also published as: KR20080006608A; EP1880531A4; FI20055225A0; US20060278234A1; EP1880531A1; CN101171823B; WO2006120300A1; US7797795B2; FI117312B

Abstract

A hinge structure to be used in portable electronic devices, such as mobile stations, making it possible to rotate the first body part (10) and the second body part (20) of the device in relation to the axis of rotation (X-X) of the hinge structure, the hinge structure comprising at least a hinge element (31) which comprises a first hinge half and a second hinge half which are arranged to be movable in relation to each other by means of a pivot (X) placed on the axis of rotation (X-X), and which hinge element is arranged to be connected by the first hinge half to the first body part (10) of the device and by the second hinge half to the second body part (20). The hinge structure comprises a shield structure (32) for shielding the back of the device, the shield structure being connected to the hinge element (31), and the shield structure (32) being arranged to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation (X-X).

Description

The hinge arrangement that is used for electronic installation

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind ofly according to claims 1 hinge arrangement as described in the preamble, it can be used in the portable electron device such as travelling carriage.In addition, the invention still further relates to a kind of according to claims 9 methods as described in the preamble.

Background technology

Along with development of technology, the size of various compact electronic devices (for example mobile phone) has become more and more littler.Realize this for a short time and carry conveniently thus simultaneously that a kind of common method of wieldy phone is to make phone dimerous, two parts fold when not in use.It is very usual and very popular in the user that these so-called folding devices have become very soon, particularly because the little use size of carrying size and abundance is combined in this overturn structure.

The vitals of folding device is its hinge arrangement.Hinge arrangement must allow with convenient and reliable mode open and close device.In addition, also must can between the different piece of device, carry out transfer of data durable and usually.

A kind of hinge arrangement is described in the United States Patent (USP) 6079993, and it discloses hinged system and the cable between the main part with two hinge meanss and has connected.Particularly, the disclosure has been described the scheme that is used to arrange cable, and this cable can be used in continually in the mancarried device (for example personal digital assistant) of open and close relatively.This device still less uses than mobile phone usually and is friendly more.Owing to this reason, developed the hinge arrangement that is used for mobile phone and born heavier and more frequent use.

United States Patent (USP) 6692275B2 discloses the hinge arrangement that is used for mobile phone, discloses especially to be used to pass the scheme that hinge arrangement is placed distribution (flexible printed circuit board).This scheme is used in particular for often being opened and closed mobile phone, and wherein hinge arrangement and distribution can stand the frequent load that repeats.Disclosed hinge arrangement extends on the whole length at back, and is the same with most of hinge arrangement in the mobile phone.Hinge arrangement comprises marginal portion and the mid portion that is arranged to pivot between the marginal portion.The marginal portion is connected on first main part, and mid portion is connected on second main part.Marginal portion and mid portion that distribution is arranged to pass from first main part hinge arrangement extend to second main part.Describedly openly described specific joint pin structure, arranged with the respective hinge that different joint pins are housed and compare, can reduce load on the distribution by this joint pin structure.

The conventional hinge structures that is used for mobile phone is relatively complicated, and wherein Zhuan Zhi assembly needs multistage processing, and this has increased cost.In addition, compare with other structures, the hinge arrangement that extends on the entire back of device needs a large amount of spaces, and wherein whole device size is owing to hinge arrangement becomes bigger.

Summary of the invention

The invention discloses a kind of new hinge arrangement,, can use the space of phone housing in more effective mode by this hinge arrangement.

In order to realize this purpose, according to the principal character of hinge arrangement of the present invention be the characteristic of independent claims 1 described those.Principal characteristic features of the method according to the invention be according to the characteristic of independent claims 9 described those.Other dependent claims will illustrate preferred implementations more of the present invention.Hinge arrangement can make the rotating shaft rotation with respect to hinge arrangement of first main part of device and second main part, described hinge arrangement comprises hinge components at least, and hinge components comprises and is arranged to first hinge half and second hinge half that can relative to each other move by the pivot that is arranged on the rotating shaft.Hinge components is arranged to be connected on first main part of device and by second hinge half by first hinge half and is connected on second main part.According to basic thought of the present invention, described hinge arrangement comprises the shield structure that is used near protective device back hinge components, and described shield structure is connected on the hinge means via slide block and guiding piece.

In another embodiment of the invention; hinge arrangement comprises first and second hinge components and the shield structure that is used for protective device back between first and second hinge components at least, and described shield structure is arranged to first hinge components is connected to second hinge components.

In one embodiment, hinge arrangement comprises two hinge meanss, each hinge means of the each end of device, the edge of the as close as possible device of hinge means.

In another embodiment, shield structure is connected on the pivot of hinge means via slide block and guiding piece.In another execution mode, shield structure is connected on the hinge half of hinge components by described slide block and guiding piece.In another execution mode, described hinge arrangement is arranged to and can moves with respect to the slide block that hinge components is connected on the hinge half.The slide block and the guiding piece that use for example can be various grooves, projection, projection and pin.

In one embodiment, shield structure is arranged to and can moves on the direction vertical with rotation.Thus, when device was in folding make position, shield structure can more close rotating shaft, and in the corresponding way, when device had been opened, the guard shield capping can be more away from rotation.In one embodiment, the device that is used for mobile shield structure is slide block and guiding piece, wherein, when main part moves, shield structure with the direction on the plane of axis normal on move.

The invention enables to provide a kind of hinge arrangement that has following various function and device: for example antenna, display unit, camera, the jockey that is used for auxiliary connecting device, the fixture that is used for the described device of mechanical fixation, memory structure and/or control device.

Shield structure in the hinge arrangement can be protected syndeton, for example distribution and/or flexible printed circuit board.In addition, shield structure can prevent between finger and the clothing access to plant.

In some embodiments of the present invention, some functional units can be connected to hinge arrangement, for example various cameras and interchangeable modules.Thus, do not make under its oversize situation, device can be multi-functional as far as possible.Interchangeable modules make can apparatus for assembling to satisfy user's needs.

The present invention has some advantages with respect to prior art constructions.In one embodiment, the simplicity of hinge arrangement has reduced the quantity of parts, has reduced cost and has helped the assembling of device.This structure is a durability, because it does not have the element of wearing and tearing and so on.In addition, this structure does not comprise any moving or lax parts, and this has also increased useful life.In another embodiment, enclosure has obviously stayed bigger space, for example is used for servicing unit.

Can be used in the various devices according to the solution of the present invention, in for example portable and hand-held device.For example, this device can be mobile phone, personal digital assistant, communication device, camera and/or game device.On the whole, the present invention can be adapted to well need less size (when for example carrying) sometimes and need the device in relatively large zone (for example being used for controlled function and/or display message) to use sometimes.In some embodiments, folding structure also is formed for the shield structure of device when device is not opened to operating position.Thus, can in transportation, protect for example objects such as keyboard, display screen and/or camera.

Description of drawings

Below, will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings the present invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a kind of execution mode of hinge arrangement with decomposition view;

Fig. 2 to 5 illustrates the operation according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 to 8 illustrates from the position of the device of the direction observation of opening;

Fig. 9 to 11 illustrates the position of the device of direction observation from behind;

Figure 12 illustrates the wherein back scheme wideer than shield structure of device;

Figure 13 illustrates the execution mode with two shield structures;

Figure 14 illustrates the execution mode with a hinge components;

Figure 15 illustrates another execution mode with a hinge components;

Figure 16 illustrates the scheme in the shield structure that antenna wherein is integrated in the back;

Figure 17 to 19 illustrates the scheme in the shield structure that wherein display screen and retainer ring be integrated in the back;

Figure 20 and 21 illustrates the scheme that the socket that wherein is used for commutative module is integrated in the shield structure at back;

Figure 22 and 23 illustrates the execution mode that comprises video camera;

Figure 24 illustrates the scheme in the shield structure that storage location wherein is integrated in the back;

Figure 25 and 26 illustrates the scheme in the shield structure that joystick wherein is integrated in the back.

For purpose clearly, accompanying drawing only illustrates and is used to understand details of the present invention.But all from accompanying drawing, omit understanding unnecessary structure that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the present invention and details, with outstanding feature of the present invention.For example, accompanying drawing does not illustrate the structure relevant with user interface and transfer of data, but they are parts of the structure of typical travelling carriage.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 is the so-called decomposition view that one embodiment of the present invention is shown.In the accompanying drawings, first main part, the 10 usefulness hinge arrangements of device are connected on second main part 20 of device, and hinge arrangement can be folded into the

inner surface

11,21 of main body basically and abut against each other.

Inner surface

11,21 can comprise the various structures of device, for example keyboard, display screen, receiver, microphone, control structure etc.

In the travelling carriage according to this example, hinge arrangement comprises two hinge meanss 31, and they are arranged in the each end that is hinged the edge of device, to connect first main part 10 and second main part 20.In device, the pivot X of hinge means 31 is arranged on the line identical with axle X-X basically.The rotation of the line constituent apparatus of axle X-X, device

main body part

10,20 can be with respect to this folded.In addition, hinge arrangement comprises the shield structure 32 that is used for the back.Shield structure 32 is set for protective device at the back between hinge components 31, and shield structure is preferably arranged for first hinge components is connected to second hinge components.In one embodiment, the shield structure 32 at back and device to be hinged side the same wide.

Hinge means 31 comprises first hinge half and second hinge half, and they are arranged to and can relative to each other move by the point of rotation or pivot X.Hinge means 31 is arranged through first main part 10 that first hinge half is connected to device, and is connected to second main part 20 by second hinge half.This connection can realize by variety of way.In one embodiment, identical device is used to connect hinge means 31 and is used for connection and mobile shield structure 32.

In the example depicted in fig. 1, shield structure 32 is connected to the

main part

10,20 of travelling carriage by jockey, and is connected to the pivot X of hinge means 31.Hinge arrangement comprises that also the moving process that is used in

main part

10,20 makes shield structure 32 be parallel to the device that move on the plane vertical with the line of axle X-X.In example, mobile device and jockey are

slide block

33,34 and guiding piece 35,36.In example,

slide block

33,34 is arranged to link to each other with hinge means 31, and they have pin shape shape.In this example, guiding

piece

35,36 is arranged on the groove at the place, end of shield structure 32.Below, the slide block 33 that is connected on the

main part

10,20 will be known as body runner 33.The guiding piece 35 that body runner 33 is connected thereto will be in the following body guide 35 that is known as.For the slide block 34 on the point of rotation X that is connected to hinge means 31, below will use term hinge slide block 34.In the corresponding way, the guiding piece 36 for hinge slide block 34 is connected thereto below will use term hinge guide 36.

In exemplary components, body runner 33 is arranged to be placed in the fixed structure 12,22 of main element 10,20.In example, fixed structure the 12, the 22nd, the hole, body runner 33 is arranged in the body guide 35 by this hole.

Fig. 2 to 5 illustrates the operation of above-mentioned execution mode.In the accompanying drawings, removed the end of the shield structure 32 that is used for the back, wherein the guiding piece in the

shield structure

35,36 and be arranged in wherein removable slide block the 33, the 34th is visible.In Fig. 2, device

main body part

10,20 is in the close position, and in other words, main part abuts against each other basically.Thus, body runner 33 is positioned at the first end place of body guide 35.In the corresponding way, hinge slide block 34 is in an end place of hinge guide 36.Thus, hinge arrangement 32 be arranged in the axle X-X the approaching position of line.In illustrated example, the

surface

11,21 of

main part

10,20 is placed at the axis place on the not homonymy of line of axle X-X of hinge means 31.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrates the variation when

main part

10,20 relative position of guiding

piece

35,36 and

slide block

33,34 when open position moves.As shown in the figure, body runner 33 moves towards second end of body guide 35.In the corresponding way, hinge slide block 34 moves towards first end of hinge guide 36.Thus, along with the carrying out of opening motion, shield structure 32 is the line of axle X-X further away from each other.

In Fig. 5, device is in its another extreme position, just is shown in an open position.At open position, structure on the

inner surface

11,21 of device and actuator are visible and can be visited by the user.In this position, body runner 33 is in second end of body guide 35, and hinge slide block 34 is in first end of hinge guide 36.Thus, shield structure 32 is in the position away from the line of axle X-X.

The process of Fig. 2 to 5 only shows some possible positions.Except can also there be other position above-mentioned position, and the layout of

slide block

33,34 and guiding

piece

35,36 and shield structure 32 is according to execution mode and different.

Fig. 6 to 8 and 9 to 11 shows the open mode that is equipped with according to the travelling carriage of hinge arrangement of the present invention.In Fig. 6 to 8, travelling carriage is visible on typical direction of operating, in Fig. 9 to 11, is to observe from opposite direction.Shown in Fig. 7 and 8, can use the zone between the hinge means 31, because hinge means only is in narrow fringe region.

Fig. 9 to 11 illustrates the effective efficiency at protection back.Angle (back just) between the

main part

10,20 of open mode is protected by the shield structure 32 that is used for the back always, and wherein any material (for example user's finger or clothes) can not enter between the main part unintentionally from the outside.Particularly, the arrangements of electric connection between the

main body

10 and 20 is protected.Shield structure 32 can also be to be arranged between the hinge means 31 with above-mentioned different mode.For example, Figure 12 illustrates the narrow shield structure 32 in back of ratio device.

Figure 13,14 and 15 only illustrates some examples how shield structure 32 only is connected on the hinge means 31.In Figure 13, device

main body part

10,20 is connected to each other by two hinge meanss 31.Two hinge meanss 31 all are connected to shield structure 32 (not shown hinge means is because they have been covered by shield structure).Being connected between hinge means 31 and the shield structure 32 can be arranged in the mode that above-mentioned example is described.Shield structure 32 can be arranged to removable, and is the same with above-mentioned example.

In the example of Figure 14, device

main body part

10,20 is connected to each other by single hinge means 31.In this example, hinge means 31 is connected to shield structure 23 (not shown hinge means is because it is covered by shield structure).In example, shield structure 32 is designed to protect hinge means 31, but it also can otherwise design.For example, shield structure can be on than the big length of the close vicinity of hinge means the back of protective device.Thus, for example can provide shielded space to the syndeton between the

main part

10,20.

In Figure 15, device

main body part

10,20 also is connected to each other by single hinge means 31.In this example, the unit that is formed by hinge means 31 and shield structure 32 is arranged in the central authorities of device one example basically.Shown in Figure 13,14 and 15, hinge means 31 can be arranged in different positions.

When the shield structure 32 that is used for the back is arranged to when removable, shield structure can be made rigidity, because the shape of shield structure does not need to change owing to moving.Because rigid structure, shield structure 32 can have the excellent protection effect.

In above-mentioned example, groove and the pin that can move in groove are used separately as guiding

piece

35,36 and slide block 33,34.Groove and pin can design in every way, wherein for example can change the translational speed of shield structure 32 and the distance that moves.In addition,

slide block

33,34 can be to place with modes different shown in the example with guiding piece 35,36.For example, in some embodiments, guiding

piece

35,36 can be placed in the

main part

10,20, and

slide block

33,34 be placed in the shield structure 32 at back.Can also come the

slide block

33,34 and the guiding

piece

35,36 of design functionality in the mode different with example shown.

Guiding piece

35,36 for example forms rigid member, with guide shoe 33,34.In guiding

piece

35,36 and/or

slide block

33,34 also can be placed on shield structure 32 links to each other the element that separates.For example, guiding

piece

35,36 can be arranged in the independent connecting plate, and wherein, shield structure 32 must not need to be directly connected on the slide block 33,34.The described element that separates is connected to shield structure on the hinge means 31 indirectly.The parts that can also exist some to separate.By using parts separately, in some embodiments, when parts are made by first material (for example firmer material) and shield structure can increase the persistence of structure by second material (for example more flexible material) when making.

Above-mentioned hinge arrangement can be realized this device in every way.Following, will the example of some application of using this hinge arrangement be described.

In one embodiment, the antenna structure 37 that is used for device is connected to the shield structure 32 at hinge arrangement back, as shown in figure 16.

In the another kind of execution mode shown in Figure 17 to 19, display screen 38 is arranged in the shield structure 32 of hinge.In this execution mode, it is second display screen 38 of device, and it is littler than first display screen 39.Described second display screen 38 is as auxiliary display screen, and for example when folding device the user can see second display screen 38.In addition, in the execution mode shown in Figure 17 to 19, ring 40 forms with shield structure 32 and links to each other, so that its suspension arrangement also is fixed for the use of different situations in every way.

Figure 20 and 21 illustrates the execution mode that comprises interchangeable parts (one or more) 41 and be used for its socket 42.Socket 42 is arranged in the shield structure 32 of hinge arrangement.In Figure 20, there is not arrangements of components in jack 42.In Figure 21, the parts 41 such as camera module are arranged in the socket 42.Parts 41 can be connected with connected mode by various interface according to various application.For example, can provide connection by the syndeton of USB (USB) formula.Parts 41 to be connected can comprise various modules, comprise that camera module, radio module, data enter module, game module, memory module etc.

In one embodiment, video camera is connected on the hinge arrangement, shown in Figure 22 and 23.It also shows and be arranged to the main part 10 that pivoted.Thus, the user can be arranged in display screen in the main part 10 using favourable position.

Figure 24 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and it comprises memory location 43 that be used to relax or detachable apparatus 44.In example, this device is a pen 44, for example is used to operate the stylus of touch-screen.The storage location 43 that is used for described pen 44 is arranged on the shield structure 32 of hinge arrangement.This storage location 43 can also comprise control device, is used for the location of detecting pen 44 with respect to storage location 43.Based on this information, can be in identical application control device.Can also be provided for the storage location of other devices (for example pen, laser designator, memory cell, medicine), perhaps be used for other purposes.

As mentioned above, hinge arrangement according to the present invention makes it use hinge area with effective and efficient manner.Figure 25 and 26 illustrates a kind of application, and the control structure 45 that wherein is used for device (is joystick in example) is arranged in the zone between the hinge means 31.Control structure is integrated in the shield structure 32 at back.In Figure 25, device is shown is in folding make position, wherein, control structure 45 keeps being protected in the device inboard.Figure 26 illustrates the device that is shown in an open position, and wherein, control structure is between the

main part

10,20 and can be visited by the user.Except control structure 45 or replace control structure 45, shield structure can also comprise other mechanisms and device, for example camera, display screen, receiver, microphone etc. in the corresponding way.Can also be with the structure except the joystick shown in the example is arranged as control structure 45, for example tracking ball, touch panel etc.

As seeing from foregoing example, various functions and device can be connected to hinge arrangement.For example, they can be placed on the outer surface at back, and shown in Figure 16 to 24, wherein advantageously, they can be accessed always.They can also be placed in the hinge arrangement, and they are placed on the device inboard to make it, and shown in Figure 25 and 26, wherein for example they are protected in transportation and storage process.In addition, can be in conjunction with different layouts, wherein hinge arrangement can comprise various functions and device, and some in these functions and the device can be arranged on the outer surface at back, and some are arranged in the device inboard.

By making up the described pattern of different execution modes and the structure of the invention described above in every way, can spirit according to the present invention produce various execution mode of the present invention.Therefore, above-mentioned example should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention, but embodiments of the present invention can freely change in the scope of the desired inventive features of following claim.

Claims

1. hinge arrangement; be used in the portable electron device such as travelling carriage; feasible first main part (10) and second main part (20) that can come whirligig with respect to the rotating shaft (X-X) of hinge arrangement; described hinge arrangement comprises hinge components (31) at least; described hinge components (31) comprises and is arranged to first hinge half and second hinge half that can relative to each other move by the pivot (X) that is arranged on the rotating shaft (X-X); and first main part (10) that described hinge components is arranged to be connected to by first hinge half device goes up and is connected on second main part (20) by second hinge half; it is characterized in that: described hinge arrangement comprises the shield structure (32) that is used for the protective device back; described shield structure is connected on the described hinge components (31), and described shield structure (32) is arranged to and can moves on the direction vertical with rotating shaft (X-X).

2. hinge arrangement according to claim 1 is characterized in that: described shield structure (32) is connected on the pivot (X) of hinge components (31) by slide block (34) and guiding piece (36).

3. hinge arrangement according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that: described shield structure (32) is connected on the hinge half of hinge components (31) by slide block (33) and guiding piece (35).

4. hinge arrangement according to claim 3 is characterized in that: described shield structure is arranged to and can moves with respect to the slide block (33) that hinge components (31) is connected on the hinge half.

5. according to each described hinge arrangement in the aforementioned claim; it is characterized in that: described hinge arrangement comprises first hinge components (31), second hinge components (31) and the shield structure (32) that is used for protective device back between hinge components (31), and described shield structure is arranged to first hinge components is connected to second hinge components.

6. according to each described hinge arrangement in the aforementioned claim, it is characterized in that: described shield structure comprises at least one in following:

Antenna (37);

Display unit (38);

Camera;

The jockey (42) that is used for auxiliary connecting device (41);

The fixture (40) that is used for the described device of mechanical fixation;

Memory structure (43);

Control device (45).

7. an electronic installation comprises according to each described hinge arrangement in the claim 1 to 6.

8. electronic installation according to claim 7 is characterized in that: it is a kind of with in the lower device: mobile phone, personal digital assistant, communication device, camera and game device.

9. method that is used to form folding device, described folding device makes can be with respect to first main part (10) and second main part (20) of rotating shaft (X-X) whirligig of hinge arrangement, in described method, described first main part is connected to second main part by hinge components (31), make hinge components go up and be connected on second main part (20) by second hinge half by first main part (10) that first hinge half is connected to device, described first hinge half and second hinge half are arranged to and can come relative to each other to move by the pivot (X) that is positioned on the rotating shaft (X-X)

It is characterized in that: described hinge components (31) is connected to the shield structure (32) that is used for the protective device back, and in the moving process of main part (10,20), described shield structure (32) moves on the direction vertical with rotating shaft (X-X).

10. method according to claim 9; it is characterized in that: described first main part (10) is connected on second main part (20) by first hinge components (31) and second hinge components (31), and first hinge components (31) is connected on second hinge components the back between hinge components with protective device by shield structure (32).